8 Difference Between Metals and Non-Metals (With Examples)

Alkali metals
Alkaline Earth Metals
Other metals
Rare Earth Elements

Non–metals are chemical elements that mostly lack the basic characteristics of a metal. Examples of nonmetals include: hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, chlorine, argon, krypton, xenon and radon. A non-metal is typically brittle when solid and usually has poor thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. Physically, a nonmetal tends to have a relatively low melting point, boiling point and density. Chemically, nonmetals tend to have relatively high ionization energy, electron affinity and electro-negativity.

Nonmetals are divided into two categories, that is:

Reactive nonmetals
Noble gases

Metals and Non-Metals: Difference in Physical Properties

Metals are generally present in the solid form at room temperature except mercury which is a liquid at room temperature. On the other hand, non-metals can be liquid, gaseous or solid at room temperature.
Metals are generally, good conductors of electricity and heat. On the contrary, non-metals are poor conductors of both heat and electricity.
Metals are ductile in nature while non-metals are non-ductile in nature. Ductility is when a solid material stretches under tensile stress. If ductile, a material may be stretched into a thin wire without becoming weaker or more brittle in the process.
Metals are malleable but non-metals are not malleable. Malleability is a substance’s ability to deform under pressure (compressive stress). If malleable, a material may be flattened into thin sheets by hammering or rolling.
Almost all metals are opaque whereas non-metals are transparent.
Metals are sonorous in nature while non-metals are non-sonorous in nature. Sonorous is the ability to produce sound when hit by an object.
Metals have a shiny appearance whereas non-metals are dull in appearance.
Metals have a high to moderate density whereas non-metals have low to moderate density.

Metals Vs Non-metals: Difference in Chemical Properties

Metals have one to three electrons in their outer shell, whereas non-metals have four to eight electrons.
Metals loose electrons to form electropositive ions whereas non-metals accept electrons to form electronegative ions.
Metals are found in the left side of the periodic table whereas non-metals are found on the right side of the periodic table.
Metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides whereas non-metals react with oxygen to form acid oxides.
Metals have a low ionization enthalpy while non-metals have a high ionization enthalpy.
Melting and boiling point of non-metals are relatively lower when compared to metals, with carbon being an exception.
Metals react with acids to produce hydrogen gas whereas non-metals not usually react with acids.
Metals are good reducing agents because they readily lose electrons easily from its valence shell. On the contrary, non-metals are good oxidizing agents because they readily loose electrons in its outermost shell.

Difference Between Metals and Non-metals In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON	METALS	NON-METALS
Physical State At Room Temperature	Metals are generally present in the solid form at room temperature except mercury which is a liquid at room temperature.	Non-metals can be liquid, gaseous or solid at room temperature.
Electrical Conductivity	Metals are generally, good conductors of electricity and heat.	Non-metals are poor conductors of both heat and electricity.
Ductility	Metals are ductile in nature.	Non-metals are not ductile in nature.
Malleability	Metals are malleable.	Non-metals are not malleable.
Nature	Almost all metals are opaque.	Non-metals are transparent.
Sonorous	Metals are sonorous in nature.	Non-metals are non-sonorous in nature.
Appearance	Metals have a shiny appearance.	Non-metals are dull in appearance.
Density	Metals have a high to moderate density.	Non-metals have low to moderate density.
Number of Electrons	Metals have one to three electrons in their outer shell.	Non-metals have four to eight electrons.
Electropositive Ions	Metals loose electrons to form electropositive ions.	Non-metals accept electrons to form electronegative ions.
Position on Periodic Table	Metals are found in the left side of the periodic table.	Non-metals are found on the right side of the periodic table.
Metals	Metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides.	Non-metals react with oxygen to form acid oxides.
Ionization Enthalpy	Metals have a low ionization enthalpy.	Non-metals have a high ionization enthalpy.
Melting and Boiling Point	Melting and boiling point of metals are relatively higher when compared to non-metals, with carbon being an exception.	Melting and boiling point of metals are relatively higher when compared to non-metals, with carbon being an exception.
Products	Metals react with acids to produce hydrogen gas	Non-metals not usually react with acids.
Chemical Nature	Metals are good reducing agents because they readily lose electrons easily from its valence shell.	Non-metals are good oxidizing agents because they readily loose electrons in its outermost shell.

What are the Similarities Between Metals and Non-Metals?

Both metals and non-metals can change state into (liquid, solid or gas).
Both metals and nonmetals can cause chemical reactions.
Both metals and nonmetals have protons, neutrons and electrons in different numbers
The mixture of metals and non-metals can be separated through physical and chemical means.

Summary

Metals are chemical elements with general characteristics and similar physical and chemical properties under normal conditions. Examples include aluminum, copper, iron, lead, silver, platinum, uranium and zinc. Non–metals are chemical elements that mostly lack the basic characteristics of a metal. Examples of nonmetals include: hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, chlorine, argon, krypton, xenon and radon.